Poorva Chavan
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Written By: Poorva Chavan | Published : July 3, 2015 5:43 PM IST
There is a big hue and cry over whether flu vaccines should be administered or not. And the major reason for this is the fact that the flu virus mutates over time and the vaccine might not effective against it. Scientists for long now have been trying to design vaccines that is effective against a wide range of flu viruses but have hardly had any luck. However, researchers at the Rockefeller University in the US claim that they have designed a strategy that can take one step forward toward a universal vaccine development. Read: Can flu vaccine protect you from viral infection this season?
Researchers have found that existing vaccines can be modified and can be used against this ever-mutating virus. The findings of the study suggest that a previously unknown mechanism within the immune system can help in creating a more effective and efficient vaccine that can provide lifelong immunity against flu infections. Current flu vaccines are in many cases ineffective because strains against which they offer protection might not be the ones circulating once the season arrives. Read: Now a drug that can prevent influenza deaths
Senior study author Jeffrey Ravetch, professor at Rockefeller University in the US explained that while traditional vaccines provide protection against three distinct strains, including modified antibodies in the vaccine can help offer protection against a broad ranges of viruses.
How will the new vaccines work?
The new vaccines will contain modified antibodies and these changes in their Fc region (The region where a foreign body called an antigen, in this case, the virus) may help evoke a strong response from the immune system which will lead to the production of more potent antibodies against the virus.
The changes in the Fc region include adding sialic acid to the antibody that is an important signalling molecule and can evoke a stronger response.
Image Source: Getty Images
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